MYP Newsletter 4/17/15

17 Apr

6th Grade: Every student should have a copy of The Lightning Thief. Having a book every day in class is part of the participation grade, so please make sure your son or daughter brings it in. This was mentioned at Back to School Night and in the newsletter a couple of weeks prior to Easter Vacation. We started the novel on Wednesday and spent the early part of the week creating our own mythical gods, goddesses, and monsters. There will be a spelling test on Unit 14 on Friday, April 24th.

7th Grade: Every student should have a copy of The Hobbit. Having a book every day in class is part of the participation grade, so please make sure your son or daughter brings it in. This was mentioned at Back to School Night and in the newsletter a couple of weeks prior to Easter Vacation. We started the novel on Wednesday and spent the early part of the week wrapping up our discussion of the Holocaust and then talking about unlikely heroes. There will be a spelling test on Unit 14 on Friday, April 24th.

8th Grade: We are back to working on phrases! The students are learning all about verbals and they are so excited to be doing this as they inch towards graduation. They can expect a quiz on verbals on Thursday. There will be a spelling test on Unit 14 on Friday, April 24th.

Language and Literature- Mr. Maddock

6th Grade Grammar and Writing– The class is just finishing up its study of Adverb usage, and will move into a unit on mechanics and punctuation. Since April is National Poetry Month, we’ll also read poetry most days, and do a handful of poetry-related writing exercises. This is not to say they’ll be producing any actual poetry; they’re too young for absinthe, and I just don’t like the way they behave when they drink coffee. Sorry!

7th Grade Grammar and Writing– We’re diagramming sentences! Oddly enough, this pleases many of the kids. Those not pleased by such activities will find solace in the non-linear beauty on display during National Poetry Month! If your student doesn’t like either sentence diagramming OR poetry, too bad! That’s why the concept of a National 7th Grader Month never got any traction, I guess.

8th Grade Literature and Writing– Spring finds the 8th grade reading White Fang, a terrific book for practicing some of the reading (and annotating) skills that will be required of the high school students your kids will soon be. We’ll also be reading poetry to begin most days, and noting the literary devices and conventions that make them work.

Science- Mr. Short

No new updates.

Language Acquisition- Madame Rooks

Everyone, please make plans to attend the French Food Festival on Saturday, April 25th at/to benefit Little Sisters of the Poor.

7th Grade: working hard on our unit about going out to eat. Lots of vocabulary, verbs, and grammar. We’ve added a verb tense as well.

8th Grade: we are finishing our unit on travel and hope to perform our play, “The Emperor and the Nightingale” next week.

Bonne Fin de Semaine~

Language Acquisition- Senora Thompson

Spanish:

6th Grade
We are working on Unit 2 of High School credit Spanish. We continue to work with our verb “ser” and practicing “ser” in the plural. We will have a quiz on ser next week. We are also working on Palabras 2 which are mostly all cognates, but I asked the students to practice pronunciation of these words.

7th Grade
We are working on Unit 6 “La familia” and the major verb in this unit is the verb “tener”. In the family unit we learn to talk about family relationships and family trees. They will be assigned a family tree project this week.

8th Grade
We are learning about travel in Unit 11. Many of the students wished that they had these words before they went on Spring break so you’ll have to take them on a flight over the summer! We will also be learning a few new irregular verbs and learn the present progressive tense. They were introduced to all the vocabulary at one time this unit in order to start getting them ready for a faster pace next year. They will have a vocabulary quiz next week.

We should be getting the results of the National Spanish Exam Contest soon!

Math- Mrs. Koehler

MYP Math

NOTICE:Math Lab continues to meet on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 in the MS math room.

To all Middle School Parents: The Math Journals are coming along nicely. Please ask to take a look at what the students are writing. They should be dating each entry and writing the daily prompt. These will be graded just before exams for completion and effort. The students seem to be enjoying the writing and sharing in class. I have been very impressed with the conceptual thoughts they are assimilating.

6th Grade: The Chapter 10 test on solving ratios and proportions is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 4/23. The vocabulary quiz is scheduled for Friday, 4/24. Please make sure your student continues to review the integer and algebraic rules.

7th Grade: Chapters 7 and 8 are the toughest in the book and also lay the foundation for Algebra 1. We spent this week reviewing these two chapters and taking “in-class, open book” and “take-home” quizzes to solidify the necessary skills for success in Algebra 1 next year. We have now returned to Chapter 9 to learn about triangle qualities, the Pythagorean Theorem, and even a little bit of Trigonometry. It is very important the students continue to focus which I know is difficult with only 7 weeks to go!!! Be on the lookout mid-week for a quiz.

8th Grade:While I am very proud of the 8th graders and their acceptances and choices made for high school, it is very important they TRY to continue to focus during the 7 week count down! I am still introducing skills which will be necessary for their success in Algebra 2 and Geometry as they go off to high school! Please remind them to STUDY and continue to give me their best effort!

Advanced Algebra (HS)– We are moving right along in Chapter 10 learning to factor polynomials. This can be a difficult concept for some so the students will need to really focus. A test is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 4/23, and a vocabulary quiz for Friday, 4/24.

Algebra (HS)– The students took a quiz on the first two lessons of Chapter 9 on multiplying and dividing polynomials. A tentative test is scheduled for Wednesday, 4/22, and a vocabulary quiz for Friday, 4/24.

The countdown is on……..!!!

Ms. Koehler

Math- Mrs. Schiavo

Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra

We are continuing our study of Geometry and in particular two-dimensional figures. We investigated triangles, congruent triangles and transformations. We will use transformations to uncover special relationships between angles within a shape. Throughout this chapter, the students will be asked to solve problems, in more than one way. This will require them to “see” shapes in multiple ways and to gain a broader understanding of problem solving.

Individuals in Societies- Mrs. Tuskey

6th Grade US History

The 6th grade has been busy studying the events and issues leading to the US Civil War. They learned about bias in writing by reading a biased primary source document on John Brown and then writing their own biased article. They ended this week pretending they were either Northern or Southern Congressmen in charge of writing the Compromise of 1850. I think the students now have a new level of appreciation for the art of compromise. The students should expect a test mid-week the week of the 20th followed by our new unit on the Civil War itself.

7th Grade US History

This week the students learned about WWII from the perspective of the US homefront. They also had an opportunity to explore a great website called “It Took a War”. Monday the 20th the classes will begin presenting their WWII projects. Their WWII research papers, which are part of that project, are also due on the 20th.

8th Grade World Civilizations

The 8th graders have been studying the Dark Ages and tackling the question of whether or not Charlemagne was really great. They also learned that the knights weren’t as chivalrous as they once believed. We will wrap up the unit next week with an exploration of the art and music of the time. I am working on getting a dance teacher here to teach us how to do a medieval court dance! I anticipate a test on this unit towards the end of next week. While they are studying the Dark Ages, the students have also been working on their interdisciplinary Councils project and research paper. Their papers are due on April 24th.

Mrs. Pam Tuskey

Religion- Mrs. Slifka

All grades:

Family life lessons will be starting next week. Forms have been sent home. Students who do not return a form to opt in, or opt out, will not join us and will not be excused. All students have been given these forms. Please email me if you did not receive this.

The Prayer for April- May is the Hail Holy Queen. (We have translated this into a tween-teen words for a deeper understanding, reciting will not be assessed).

6th Grade–

We are reviewing with open book quizzes which turn into study guides. Closed book quiz likely late next week.

7th Grade

Exploring maps from the time of Jesus and comparing to maps from now. Also, learning more about the holy land now and then. Discussion on “Rising with Christ” daily.

8th Grade

We are sharing presentations of the various councils throughout our Church History and taking notes on the various councils. Discussion on how we relate the New Testament to our own lives.

I am going to a Matthew Kelly seminar on Saturday 4/18 and will share what I learn with the class.

Design- Mrs. Clopton

6th grade– Students will be starting their final project of the year this week. They will be learning how computers work. They will also be using the IB Design Cycle to create a 3-D model of a computer. They will be tested on 11 computer parts at some point during this unit. The majority of the work will be done in class.

7th grade– Students were introduced to their final project of the year. They will be using the IB Design Cycle to create a 3-D model of a technology Device

8th grade– We are in the final stretch for 8th grade. Students are working on several projects in class. They are working on their slide show and have already brought in over 500 pictures!! They of course want to use all of them, but our goal is around keep it 400, but we’ll see. Please still have students bring in pictures regardless because we have all enjoyed reflecting and reminiscing about the old days. Many students have brought in pictures of their classmates to share, so even if you don’t have a lot of pictures, know that all students will be represented. Students are also beginning the final stages of their Community Project. This project isn’t due until May the 11th, but they are working on their planning and development to figure out the best way to plan, create and finish their project on time. They should be able to discuss with you the status of their project. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or their mentor to voice concerns. Some students are ready to create now, while others may still need some time to figure it all out.

PE- Coach Spicer

No new updates for PE

Music- Mrs. Taylor

Composer of the Month: March: Franz Joseph Haydn-“Papa Haydn” the Father of the modern symphony orchestra.

6th grade: We continue to work on material for the Spring Sing which will be held here on Friday May 1st. All narrations and solos will be given out the week before Spring Break in order for them to practice. We had a chance for all students to go through their process journals and access their individual participation levels. I am genuinely pleased with how the 6th grade students are preparing for the performance, as well as their genuine self-awareness.

8th grade: The Dinner Theater production date has been set as Wed. May 6th at 6-8:30pm—PLEASE SAVE THE DATE you will not want to miss this culminating event. We are creating and voting on t shirt designs and logos, script writing, music rehearsing, etc. it’s an exciting and busy time as we put all of the components together. Each student has a unique and specific role to play within the production. We try to have all production elements, as well as rehearsal happen during school time (busy after school schedules for all involved). Thank you for your support of this project.

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